The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a US$3 million disaster relief grant for Sri Lanka to support ongoing emergency and humanitarian operations in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah. In addition, ADB has approved US$2 million each for Thailand and Vietnam, which were also affected by extreme weather events.
The announcement was made by ADB President Masato Kanda, following requests for support from the respective governments.
“I am deeply saddened by the suffering caused by these devastating floods,” Kanda said. “The governments and people of Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Viet Nam can rest assured that ADB will provide assistance to help save lives and rebuild communities. We will work quickly and cooperatively with governments to bring shelter, comfort and hope to those affected by these terrible events.”
The grants will be disbursed through the Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund (APDRF), which provides fast-tracked financial support to developing member countries for life-saving relief in the immediate aftermath of major disasters triggered by natural hazards.
Flooding caused by Cyclone Ditwah has resulted in extensive loss of life and severe damage to property and infrastructure across Sri Lanka and other Southeast Asian nations.
ADB, a leading multilateral development bank, supports inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working alongside its members and partners, ADB utilizes innovative financial instruments and strategic collaborations to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard the environment. Established in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 member countries, 50 of which are from the Asia-Pacific region.
